Elections and democracy

Elections strengthen democracy — but not so in the case of Pakistan. We have had 10 general elections since our independence more than 70 years back, but democracy in the country still suffers from teething troubles, let alone beginning to gain ground. No elections have managed to give even a semblance of the rule of the people appearing to flourish and bring political stability in the country. Even two back-to-back elections — in 2008 and 2013 — have failed to instil any democratic maturity. History suggests that our elections have failed to produce strong governments and sovereign parliaments.

While Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan believes a parliament that is not hung will give the Leader of the House the power to take strong decisions, there are instances of governments enjoying a two-thirds majority in parliament but lacking authority to act as they please. One such government — from 1997 to 1999 — barely lasted for half of its term, while another one — from 2013 to 2018 — came close to falling, on quite a few occasions. It did survive its five-year term, but had to see its head, the prime minister, sent packing — well, on the charges of owning assets beyond means. Interestingly, both the heavy-mandated governments belonged to the Pakistan Muslim League of Nawaz Sharif.

Does this imply that even a strong government is no guarantee when it comes to taking independent decisions as well as doing away with the political instability that has turned out to be one of the major problems the country faces? For a politician like Imran Khan who has yet to have a taste of the government, the problem lies with the ‘undemocratic’ mindset of our rulers ‘who are a product of rigged elections’ and ‘whose corruption allows outside forces the room for interference’. The PTI chief may have enough reasons — and instances like the Panamagate — to quote in support of his long-held stance that is the pivot of his campaign to rise to power, but he must not forget that the civil-military relationship is also a major factor in the context.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2018.

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